Three Experimental Modes of Counseling. Center for the Study of Evaluation of Instructional Programs Working Paper No. Five.

Sorenson, Garth; Hawkins, Richard K.

An evaluation model was applied to three experimental modes of counseling. They were compared on the basis of three interviews with respect to their affects on behavior, moods, and feelings about counseling. Mode 1 counselors guided counselees in making their own plans for coping with problems. Mode 2 counselors suggested specific actions. Mode 3 counselors explored feelings. Three experimental counselors were trained in all three modes. Thirty-six subjects, student teachers who reported stress, were randomly assigned to counselor and mode. Their reactions to counseling were collected during and following interviews. It was found that: (a) high-stress counselees were more likely to continue in counseling regardless of mode; (b) more mode 2 counselees were satisfied with their interviews; (c) more mode 1 counselees actually tried the plans they made during interviews. Other findings and their implications are discussed. (Author)